Abstract:

The research goal:
The main goal of the presented research is to analyze the specifics of impaired pragmatic language level in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), emphasize the need for its timely diagnosis and accentuate the systematic stimulation of social communication skills. The contribution also deals with the issue of non-verbal communication and auditory agnosia in individuals with ASD and their consequences in terms of their effects within speech and language therapy approach and special educational treatment.

Methodology:
The research findings represent partial results of the specific research (Impaired Communication Activity from the Perspective of the Impact of its Symptomatology on Interdisciplinary Cooperation of Experts and the Family in Complex Intervention, PDF UP 2012/2013, PDF_2012_012, 2012/2013. Communication Deficits in the Selected Forms of Disordered Communication Activity with Focus on the Consideration of Partial Determinants of the Verbal and Non-verbal Component of Communication in Special Education Practise, PDF UP, 2013/2014, PDF_2013_021, which map and analyze speech and language therapy intervention in individuals with ASD, and "Research in the area of communication specifics in selected groups of individuals with communication ability deficiencies or disorders" IGA_PdF_2014016; main researcher: Kateřina Vitásková). At the same time, we are going to present related research focused on detecting and analyzing the pragmatics of individuals with ASD (GAČR, Pragmatic Language Level in Individuals with ASD, 14-31457S, 2014/2016, main researcher: doc. Vitásková). The main research tools were questionnaires.

Results:
Based on the stated data, it is obvious that speech and language therapy intervention in individuals with ASD is determined by a great number of factors that may have interferential impact on its course. It concerns, in particular, auditory agnosia perceived by up to 90 % of the speech and language therapists as a factor having a significant influence on its course and results. The given experts also referred to the absence of any material focused on stimulating pragmatic language level, despite the fact that the presented results show that 14.4 % of the speech and language therapists perceive as the most important and remarkable difficulties at phonetic phonologic language level and consider them the represent the primary deficits. The consequences affecting the educational and therapeutical approach in temrs of special need education and speech and language therapy treatment are discussed.

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorders, pragmatic language level, non-verbal communication, auditory agnosia, speech and language therapy intervention, special needs.